Dar es Salaam – Nearly a year after a catastrophic building collapse in Kariakoo claimed the lives of approximately 20 people, six individuals connected to the property have been formally charged with negligent homicide.
The accused—Lendela Mdete, Zenabu Islam (aka Zaibanu), Ashour Ashour, Soster Nziku, Stephen Nziku, and Aloyce Sangawe—were arraigned before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court on September 18.
They face charges of causing death through negligence, an offence that carries the potential for the death penalty under Tanzanian law.
The tragedy unfolded on the morning of November 16, 2024, when a multi-story commercial building at the junction of Mchikichi and Kongo Streets suddenly gave way.
The structure, which housed several open businesses, collapsed during peak hours, trapping shoppers and workers inside. In addition to the fatalities, dozens more were injured in one of the city’s worst urban disasters in recent years.
READ MORE: I’m a Journalist Who Covered the Kariakoo Building Collapse. Here’s What I Observed
The incident sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting immediate action from the highest levels of government.
Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa established a special committee to investigate the cause of the collapse and to conduct a broader audit on the structural integrity of buildings throughout the Kariakoo area. However, the findings of that investigation have yet to be made public.
The long-awaited court proceedings began this week, offering a first step toward accountability for the victims and their families. The case, however, hit an immediate procedural delay.
Public prosecutor Clemence Kato informed the court that the state intends to call over 100 witnesses. He requested an adjournment, explaining that the prosecution team had not yet completed its preparations and had only finalised half of the required witness statements.
Presiding Magistrate Geofrey Mhini granted the request. The case has been adjourned until October 9, 2025, when it will reconvene for the formal reading of witness statements and the presentation of evidence to the defendants.
The initial news of the collapse spread rapidly across Tanzania, fueled by social media and smartphone footage from the scene, which captured the scale of the devastation and the frantic rescue efforts that followed.
The court case is now being watched closely by the public, demanding answers and justice for the lives lost.
